Married In Montana (At The Altar Book 1) by Kirsten Osbourne Page B

sideways on the swing.  "I'll need to go in for an orientation next week."
    He nodded.  "That's fine.  What day?"  He'd have to drive her, so he needed to rearrange his schedule.
    "Thursday.  If I can, it would be nice to have my license by then.  That way you won't have to always drive me."  She watched his face as she suggested driving herself, hoping he'd be agreeable.
    "We'll go Monday for your road test.  You're ready."  He was reluctant to give her the freedom the license would bring, but he had no idea why. 
    She smiled, her face lighting up.  "I was hoping you'd say that."
    "We'll go car shopping then too." He cupped her cheek in one hand, kissing her softly.  "Congratulations on the job."  However mixed his feelings were about the subject, she'd worked hard for her degree, and she'd interviewed well.  She deserved to be congratulated.
    She knew how hard it must be for him to say that to her.  "Thank you.  I'll still do my best to have dinner ready every night."  She sucked in a breath, trying to find the best way to ask the question that was on her mind.  "How would you feel if we brought back the housekeeper you used before we married?  Just for the school year?  It would be one less thing for me to worry about."
    He frowned, hating the idea.   His mother had done everything around the house for as long as he could remember.  He had to keep telling himself that she wasn't his mother, though.  She'd been raised differently.  Finally he nodded.  "I think we'll need to."
    Savannah moved into his arms, hugging him tightly.  "Thank you."  She could tell it was against his nature to agree, but she was glad when he did.
    He kissed the top of her head.  "You're welcome."
    After they'd gone back inside, he remembered the gift he'd planned to give her.  Flipping off the light switch, he said, "I have a surprise for you.  I'll bring it upstairs."
    She nodded and smiled.  Someone must be giving him husband lessons.  Two gifts in one day?  Who was this man?
    She went into the bedroom and changed into a light nightgown.  It was green with spaghetti straps and the hem came to mid-thigh.  Perfect for wearing in the summer.  She slipped into bed, pulling the covers up under her arms.  Even after almost two weeks of marriage, she was shy with him.  It was hard to let go of the taboos that were still in her mind about men seeing her body.
    Scott walked into the room with a big grin on his face, carrying a box wrapped in Christmas paper.  She could see the paper had been dusty, but he'd wiped it off with his hand.
    He put the gift on the bed in front of her, and her first thought was that she'd have to wash all the bedding the next day.  It was due, though, so she bit her tongue.  She carefully tore the paper off the box, wondering who the gift had really been for.
    When she opened it, she found something she'd wanted, but seeing it made her angry.  It was a beautiful new KitchenAid mixer.  It had everything for making gourmet meals from scratch.  Remembering their fight, all she could think was that he was trying to force her to cook for him.  She couldn't say that to him, though.  It was an expensive gift.
    "Thank you," she said softly, not wanting to seem ungrateful.  "Who was the gift originally for?"
    "My mother.  She died right before Christmas, and I'd already wrapped it."  He watched her face for the excitement he expected and was disappointed when it seemed to make her sad.
    "I'll use it."  She pushed the wrapping to the floor and set the gift beside it.  She didn't know what else to say.  He'd acted like he had a special gift for her, but it was covered in dust and meant for his dead mother?  Really?
    She slipped under the covers and closed her eyes.  How could she possibly voice her regrets?  She fought to keep the tears inside, hoping that someday he'd understand how to make her feel good.
    Scott couldn't figure out what her problem was.  He'd given her a nice gift.